Sportsman back pack

ABSTRACT

A combination back pack and seat combination including a molded one piece chair seat and backrest with one aspect (FIGS. 1-3) of the invention including foldable legs pivotally supported on the bottom of the chair seat and another aspect (FIGS. 4-6) of the invention including a single tubular chair support. In each aspect of the invention a pair of shoulder straps are secured to the backrest portion of the chair with each of the straps being constructed of a flexible cord material and provided with a protective cushioning covering to engage the shoulder of a person transporting the chair. In the single tubular chair support embodiment a foldable tree stand is also provided and includes a base platform supporting the chair seat and a first V-shaped segment to engage a tree trunk. A pair of pivotally connected arms extend from the base with a second V-shaped segment connected to the arms to also frictionally engage the opposite side of the tree trunk and provide support for the tree stand.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/373,063 filed on Jan. 17,1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,089).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to back packs in general, and relatesspecifically to a combination back pack and chair for use in, or incombination with, tree stands, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the hunting of deer and other large game it is common practice forthe hunter to employ a tree stand or other elevated structure to providea wide field of view for approaching game. Some of the tree stands aresimple and inexpensive, employing only some wooden planks, while othersare constructed of metal or metal and wood combinations, and can beelaborate and expensive. Many of the tree stands are uncomfortable tothe occupant when utilized for extended periods. Some commerciallyavailable trees stands, and some custom made stands, are constructed ofmetal parts that are heavy and difficult to transport to the site ofuse.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination backpack and tree stand chair that is comfortable to occupy, relativelylightweight in construction, and relatively simple to transport to thesite of use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination backpack and tree stand that is relatively simple in construction andprovides a comfortable seat for the occupant hunter at the site of use.

An additional object of the present invention is a lightweight,inexpensive, combination back pack and seat for a sportsman.

Another object of the present invention is a back pack and portablechair for use alone or with a hunter's tree stand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the foregoing and additional objectsare attained in one aspect of the invention by providing a chair havinga molded one-piece seat and integral backrest. A pair of foldable chairlegs are pivotally fixed to the bottom of the seat and maintained infolded position when transporting the chair and adapted to be unfoldedwhen it is desired to employ the chair as an occupant support surface. Apair of flexible cord shoulder straps are releasably secured to thebackrest portion of the chair and are provided with a protective cushioncover thereon to engage the shoulder of a person transporting the chairin back pack fashion. One member of the foldable legs is permanently andpivotally attached to the bottom of the chair seat and a spaced catchfor the other leg is also provided on the bottom of the chair seat.

In another aspect of the invention, a foldable tree stand having a treeengaging portion and a hingedly connected chair support platform isprovided in conjunction with a molded one-piece chair seat and backrest.In this embodiment, the foldable chair legs are replaced by a singlesupport rod that engages a support plate secured to the bottom of thechair seat and a support plate secured to the chair support platform. Asin the other embodiment, a pair of releasable flexible cord shoulderstraps are secured to the backrest portion of the chair and providedwith a protective cushioning cover thereon to engage the shoulder of aperson transporting the chair and tree stand to a site of use. The treestand is folded for back pack transport and unfolded and the chair seatattached at the site of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the combination back pack and chairsupport of an embodiment of the present invention being transported byan individual;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the chair and back pack structure of FIG. 1when unfolded at the site of use;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the bottom of the chair and back packcombination, shown in the folded position of FIG. 1, and illustratingthe pivotal fixed attachment and the catch mechanism for the respectivefoldable legs of the chair;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the inventionillustrating a combination back pack and folded tree stand with chairsupport and being transported by an individual;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the combination back pack and folded tree standshown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic side perspective of the combination back pack andtree stand shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the unfolded assembled position atthe site of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, thecombination back pack and foldable chair of the present invention isshown and designated generally by reference numeral 10. The back pack,chair combination 10, is in the folded position during transport by anindividual, designated by reference numeral 11, and includes a chair 12.Chair 12 includes a seat portion 14 and an integral backrest portion 15.A pair of foldable legs 17, 18 are provided for chair 12 and are shownin the folded transport position in FIG. 1. A pair of retention straps,one of which is shown in FIG. 1 and designated by reference numeral 19,are wrapped around legs 17, 18 to assist in retaining the legs in thefolded position of FIG. 1 during transport thereof. Strap 19, and theother (not shown) are constructed of Velcro or other suitable easilyreleasable material.

Legs 17, 18 are each formed of a substantially U-shaped structureincluding an elongated horizontal portion and a depending segmentintegrally extending from each end of the elongated horizontal portion.The depending segments of legs 17, 18 terminate in ground engaging freeends, each of which is provided with a suitable ground engaging tipcover as designated by reference numeral 20. The depending segments oflegs 17, 18 are pivotally connected at substantially the intermediatelength thereof by pivot pins 21, one of which is shown in FIG. 2 and theother of which is not visible in the drawings. A pair of brackets areprovided on each side of chair 12 to permit attachment of a conventionalsupply backpack for retention on seat portion 14 thereof duringtransport. One pair of these brackets is illustrated in FIG. 2 anddesignated by reference numerals 22, 23.

A pair of shoulder straps 24, 25 are releasably attached manner tosuitable slots, brackets or other conventional structure (not shown) inspaced relationship (on opposite sides) on the back of backrest 15 ofchair 12. Shoulder straps 24, 25 are formed of suitable flexible cordsuch as "Bungee" cord and are capable of supporting considerable weightwithout stretching but will yield upon the exertion of a strong forcethereon such as may be encountered with snagging onto tree limbs orunderbrush while the user of the backpack system 10 is moving throughthe woods or in underbrush. Each of cords 24, 25 is provided with ashock cushioning material cover, as designated by respective referencenumerals 27, 28. Cushioning material covers 27, 28 are formed ofsheepskin, or synthetic fleece material, to minimize the pressureexerted on the user while transporting the back pack/chair combination.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the horizontal portion of U-shapedleg 18 is rotatably or pivotally received through a length of tubularconduit 30 that is permanently secured (by adhesive or otherconventional attachment) to the bottom of chair seat 14. Tubular conduit30 is disposed adjacent to the rear portion of the bottom of seat 14, ornear the lower end of the backrest portion 15 of chair 12. A catch 32for receiving the horizontal portion of U-shaped leg 17 is adhesively,or otherwise conventionally, attached to chair seat 14 near the frontthereof. Catch 32 is disposed in parallel relationship to conduit 30 andserves to releasably lock leg 17 in the expanded position when it isdesired to use chair 12 as a human support surface. Catch 32 is formedof suitable tubular conduit (polyvinyl chloride or PVC) withapproximately thirty-forty percent of the wall diameter being removedalong the entire length of the conduit to form a slit therein, andproviding a substantially C-shaped cross sectional area, that receiveshorizontal portion of U-shaped leg 17 in a "snapped in" releasablelocked position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and ready for use as a seaton a suitable tree stand or at any other site desired by the user.Tubular conduit 30 may also be provided with a slit along the lengththereof to form a releasable catch for U-shaped leg 18 and therebypermit complete separation of legs 17, 18 from the chair, when sodesired.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4-6, another embodiment of thecombination back pack and chair of the present invention is shown anddesignated generally by reference numeral 40. As shown therein, the backpack, chair combination 30, includes a foldable tree stand 33 with thechair structure 42 and tree stand 33 being in disassembled conditionduring transport by an individual, designated by reference numeral 31.Chair structure 42 includes a seat portion 34 and an integral backrestportion 35. In lieu of the folding legs of the previous embodiment,chair structure 42 is provided with a single column support rod 36 (FIG.6), as will be further explained hereinafter. Tie-down straps 37, 38 aredisposed in stretched position about the component parts of tree stand33 and backrest 35 of chair structure 42 when in the transport positionillustrated in FIG. 4.

As in the previously described embodiment, a pair of shoulder straps 44,45 are attached to suitable slots, brackets, or other conventionalstructure (not shown) in spaced relationship and on opposite sides tothe back of backrest 35 of chair 42. Shoulder straps 44, 45 are formedof suitable flexible cord such as "Bungee" cord and are capable ofsupporting considerable weight without stretching but will yield uponthe exertion of a strong force thereon such as may be encountered withsnagging onto underbrush or limbs in wilderness use. Each of cords 44,45 is provided with a pipe insulation type cover having a sheath ofsheepskin or synthetic fleece material thereon to serve as cushioning toprevent straps 44, 45 from cutting into the user's shoulders.

The tree stand 33 includes a base portion 50 having a pair of spaced,parallel, longitudinally extending metal segments, as designated byreference numerals 53, 54. Segments 53, 54 are maintained in parallelspaced relationship by a plurality of horizontally disposed plates,welded, bolted, or otherwise conventionally attached thereto, asdesignated by reference numeral 56. Plates 56 are disposed perpendicularto metal segments 53, 54 and are parallel to each other extending from afirst end of segments 53, 54 along the length thereof to a distancespaced from a second end of segments 53, 54. The second ends oflongitudinally extending metal segments 53, 54 are joined by a firstV-shaped metal segment 57 bolted via bolts 58, 59 (FIG. 5) thereto withthe bottom of the "V" extending within the spacing between the segments53, 54. The open side of first V-shaped metal segment 57 is providedwith extending metal spikes, designated by reference numeral 60, toengage a tree trunk surface for support of tree stand 33 at the site ofuse, as will be further explained hereinafter.

A pair of parallel arms 64, 65 having first and second end portions arepivotally connected at the first ends thereof to respective segments 53,54 via respective pivot pins 67, 68 and in spaced relationship to thebottom of V-shaped metal segment 57.

A pair of parallel support brackets 71, 72 are pivotally connected at afirst end thereof to the respective second ends of segments 53, 54 via apair of pivot pins, one of which is shown in the drawing (for bracket71) and designated by reference numeral 74, with the other pivot pin forbracket 72, not visible in the drawing. The second end of supportbrackets 71, 72 are releasably connected via inwardly extending fixedbolts 78, 79 disposed respectively on the inside surfaces of parallelarms 64, 65. Bolts 78, 79 are threadingly received by nuts welded orotherwise conventionally attached to the exterior of arms 64, 65. Thenut for bolt 78 is secured to arm 64, as shown in FIG. 6 and designatedby reference numeral 76, while that for bolt 79 and secured to arm 65 isnot visible in this FIG. Support brackets 71, 72 serve to lock arms 64,65 at a substantially forty-five degree angular relationship with baseplate 50.

A second V-shaped metal segment 80 joins the second ends of respectiveparallel arms 64, 65 via bolts 81, 82 with the bottom of the "V"extending outwardly within the spacing between the second ends of arms64, 65. Additional spaced holes 88, 89 are provided along a portion ofthe length of arms 64, 65 to permit adjustment of the position ofV-shaped segment 80 relative to the second ends of arms 64, 65, as sodesired. The open side of V-shaped segment 80 serves to engage a side ofthe tree trunk at the site of use opposite to the surface of the treetrunk engaged by first V-shaped segment 57 to act therewith tofrictionally retain tree stand 33 thereon.

As mentioned hereinbefore, chair 40 is supported on tree stand 33 by asingle rod or column 36. Rod 36 is carried in the back pack transportcondition by a tubular conduit 90 formed of suitable plastic (PVC, orsimilar material). Tubing 90 is adhesively, or otherwise conventionally,attached to the side of arm 65 (FIG. 5). An additional shorter length oftubing or conduit 91 is also attached to the side of arm 65 and carriesa short piece of metal pipe 92, having external threads (not designated)on one end thereof. Metal pipe 92 screws into an internally threadedcoupling 96 that is welded or otherwise conventionally attached to aplate 97. A suitable pipe pod or other suitable connection can beemployed for coupling 96 if so desired. Plate 97 is bolted or otherwiseconventionally attached to the bottom of chair seat portion 34. A firstend of chair support rod 36 is rotatably disposed over the length ofpipe 92 extending from coupling 96 and abuts against the end of coupling96. The second end of chair support rod 36 is provided with externalthreads over a portion of the length thereof, (not designated) and isthreadingly received within an internally threaded second coupling orpipe pod 93. Threaded coupling 93 is welded to a plate 94 that is boltedor otherwise conventionally and releasably secured to one or more ofplates 56 on base 50.

In operation, the chair/back pack/tree stand assembly 40, 33 is packagedas shown in FIGS. 4-5 for transport to a site of use within the huntingwoods. At the site of use, the packaged arrangement is assembled asshown in FIG. 6. Second V-shaped segment 80 is removed from the assemblyfor positioning around the tree and the tree stand is raised to thedesired height wherein the first V-shaped segment 57 is placed inengagement with one side of the tree trunk and retained thereon with thesecond V-shaped segment being positioned on the opposite side of thetree trunk.

Chair assembly 40 is then assembled and the frictional forces of theV-shaped segments 57 (including spikes 60) and 80 acting against thetree trunk will retain the tree stand 33 in position. The rotatableconnection of chair 40 to the tree stand permits the hunter-occupant ofthe chair to rotate in an essentially 360 degree area for viewing thesurrounding terrain.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, one and one-half inchangle aluminum stock having a thickness of one-quarter inch, wasemployed for making base segments 53, 54. Arms 64, 65 were constructedfrom square metal tubing (aluminum or aluminum alloy) and first andsecond V-shaped segments 57, 80 were constructed from one inch angleiron. One-sixteenth inch aluminum, or aluminum alloy plate, with eachplate having a width of three-four inches, was employed for constructingplates 56.

Although the invention has been described relative to specificembodiments thereof, it is not so limited and there are numerousmodifications and variations of the invention that will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the aboveteachings. For example, where specific materials have been mentioned itis to be understood that these materials are given by way of specificexamples of the preferred embodiments and any equivalent material havingequivalent structural and weather resistant properties are consideredwithin the scope of the invention.

Also, in lieu of the Bungee cord attachment, conventional flat back packstraps may be employed with the present invention. Similarly, where nospecific materials have been mentioned for the component parts, it is tobe understood that any suitable material having the desired structuraland weather resistant properties are considered applicable for practiceof the present invention.

It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A combination back pack and hunter's portabletree stand comprising in combination:a chair having a seat portion andan integral backrest portion; a pair of shoulder straps secured to saidbackrest portion of said chair; each member of said pair of shoulderstraps being constructed of flexible cord material and provided with aprotective cushion cover to engage a shoulder of a person transportingsaid chair; a foldable tree stand supported by said chair duringbackpack transport thereof; said foldable tree stand including a chairsupport platform and a pivotally connected tree engagement and supportframe; means on said chair support platform to receive one end of atubular elongated chair support rod; means on said seat portion of saidchair to receive the other end of said tubular elongated chair supportrod; and means secured to said pivotally connected tree engagement andsupport frame for releasably retaining said tubular elongated chairsupport rod during transport of said foldable tree stand.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said means on said chair support platformto receive said one end of said tubular elongated chair support rodcomprises a rigid plate releasably secured to a surface of said chairsupport platform;said rigid plate including a tubular connecting elementsecured thereto; said tubular connecting element having a threadedcenter opening extending at least partially therethrough; said one endof said tubular elongated support rod having an externally threadedportion thereon; said externally threaded portion of said one end ofsaid tubular elongated support rod being threadingly received by saidthreaded center opening of said tubular connecting element.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein said means on said seat portion of saidchair to receive the other end of said elongated chair support rodcomprises a rigid plate fixedly secured to a bottom surface of said seatportion of said chair;said rigid plate fixedly secured to a bottomsurface of said seat portion of said chair including a centrallydisposed tubular connecting element extending perpendicularly therefrom;said centrally disposed tubular connecting element being provided withan internal threaded area; a length of tubular pipe having externalthreads over a portion of one end thereof and provided with a smoothsurface over the remaining length thereof; said external threadsthreadingly attaching said length of tubular pipe to said centrallydisposed tubular connecting element; and said smooth surface of saidlength of tubular pipe being slidably received by said other end of saidtubular elongated support rod.
 4. A combination back pack and supportseat comprising, in combination:a chair having a seat portion and anintegral backrest portion; means attachable to said seat portion toprovide an elevated support for a chair occupant; a pair of shoulderstraps secured to said backrest portion of said chair; said pair ofshoulder straps being constructed of flexible cord material and providedwith a protective cushion cover to engage the shoulders of a persontransporting said chair; said means attachable to said seat portion toprovide an elevated support for a chair occupant including a foldabletree stand supported by said chair during backpack transport thereof;said foldable tree stand including a chair support platform; a treeengagement and support frame pivotally connected to said chair supportplatform; a tubular elongated chair support rod; said tubular elongatedsupport rod having a first end secured to said chair support platformand having a second end rotatably attached to said chair seat portion;and means secured to said pivotally connected tree engagement andsupport frame for releasably retaining said tubular elongated chairsupport rod during transport of said foldable tree stand.
 5. Thecombination of claim 4 including a first rigid plate releasably securedto a surface of said chair support platform;said first rigid plateincluding a tubular connecting element secured thereto; said tubularconnecting element having a threaded center opening extending at leastpartially therethrough; said tubular elongated support rod beingthreadingly secured at one end thereof to said threaded centerconnecting element.
 6. The combination of claim 4 including a secondrigid plate fixedly secured to a bottom surface of said seat portion ofsaid chair;said second rigid plate including a centrally disposedtubular connecting element attached thereto and extendingperpendicularly therefrom; said centrally disposed tubular connectingelement being provided with an internal threaded area; a length of pipehaving a threaded end secured to said centrally disposed tubularconnecting element and a smooth surface end extending from saidcentrally disposed tubular connecting element; said tubular elongatedchair support rod including external threads over a portion of saidother end thereof; said other end of said elongated chair support rodslidably receiving said smooth surface end of said length of pipe tothereby provide rotatable occupant support for said chair on saidportable tree stand.